Railroad-switch stand.



H. L. STEIN MANN.

/vbbmeoow Ms W Patented June 17, 1913.

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awwwtoa H EN RY L- sTmNMANN H. L. STEINMANN.

RAILROAD SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION FILED new, 1912.

Patented Juhe 17, 1913.

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INVENTOR H ENRY L- STEmMAN N 0-. WASH FIQE.

HENRY L. STEINMANN, OF ARGYLE, MISSOURI.

RAILROAD-SWITCH STAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 27, 1912.

Patented June 17, 1913. Serial No. 717,319.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY L. STEIN MANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Argyle, in the county of Osage and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad- Switch Stands, of which the following is a specification reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to railroad switch stands and has special reference to a novel form of locking switch stand.

The principal object of the invention is to improve and simplify the general con struction of devices of this character.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of catch for locking the switch lever in position, the catch being arranged to operate from either direction.

WVith the above and other objects in view, as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and :Figure 1 is a plan view partly in section of a switch stand constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a detail side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail front elevation showing the stand in one of its locked positions. Fig. 4: is a similar view partly in section showing the switch lever held by the spring latch. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the latch spring. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the signal shaft.

In carrying out the objects of this invention there is provided a stand having uprights 10 whereon is mounted a platform 11 provided at the rear end with a pair of abutments 12 upon each of which is fitted a cover plate13. Projecting from each of the abutments 12 is a lock bow 1a.

Extending downward through the platform 11 is a shaft 15 whereon is fixed a switch lever 16 provided with a suitable recess for the reception of a lock 17. This switch lever 16 is also provided 011 each side with an opening 18 wherein the respective bow 14 is adapted to fit when the lever is swung around to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The lock is preferably of the spring type so that when the lever is swung At the front end of the platform 11 is mounted a pair of leaf springs each of which consists of a horizontal portion 20 having one end fixedly secured to the plat form 11 and the other end bent to project upward as at 21 and then downward as at 22 to form a stop shoulder. These two springs have the stop shoulders 22 so spaced apart that when the switch lever 16 is moved around to the position intermediate the two bows 14 or in other words at right angles to the position shown in Fig. 1, the stop members will prevent movement in either direction until the spring is depressed which may be done by means of a thumb piece 23 fixed on the horizontal portion 20 of the respective springs. By means of this arrangement the switch has two locked positions and one intermediate position in which it is unlocked and is thus especially adapted for use with a track having a three point switch.

In the operation of the device it is simply necessary to turn the switch lever to cause it to assume any one of the three positions as will be readily understood.

There has thus been provided a simple and efficient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. In a device of the kind described, a stand including a platform, a shaft journaled verticaly in said platform, a switch lever fixed to said shaft and movable over said platform, abutments fixed upon said platform in the path of said switch lever, a lock having openings therein carried by the switch lever, lock bows carried by the abutments, and means to releasably engage and hold said switch lever when moved to a position intermediate said lock bows.

2. In a device of the kind described, a stand including a platform, a shaft journaled vertically in said platform, a switch lever fixed to said shaft and movable over said platform, abutments fixed upon said platform in the path of said switch lever, a lock having openings therein carried by the switch lever, lock bows carried by the abutments, and means to releasably engage and hold said switch lever when moved to a position intermediate said lock bows, said means comprising a pair of springs each having one end fixed to said platform and the other end bent upward to provide a cam surface and downward to provide a stop shoulder, said springs having their stop shoulders ar ranged to abut opposite sides of the switch lever when the latter is positioned therebetween.

3. In a device of the kind described, a stand including a platform, a shaft journaled vertically in said platform, a switch lever fixed to said shaft and movable over said platform, abutments fixed upon said platform in the path of said switch lever, a lock having openings therein carried by the switch lever, lock bows carried by the abutments, means to releasably engage and hold said switch lever when moved to a position intermediate said lock bows, said means comprising a pair of springs each having one end fixed to said platform and the other end bent upward to provide a cam surface and downward to provide a stop shoulder, said springs having their stop shoulders arranged to abut opposite sides of the switch lever when the latter is positioned therebetween, and thumb pieces fixed upon said springs.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY L. STEINMANN.

lVitnesses STEPHAN RENNEKE, ANTON RENNEKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

